GLOBE Exercise

Training international cooperation: Wired GLOBE 2025 simulates humanitarian mission in Sudan

Students from OTH Regensburg, the University of Regensburg and international partner universities train international crisis management in realistic simulations.

The 24th edition of the GLOBE Exercise took place from 5 to 8 May 2025 - this time under the title Wired GLOBE 2025 and with a scenario simulated for the first time in Sudan. Under the academic direction of Prof. Dr Markus Bresinsky, the exercise has been organised by the International Relations and Management degree programme since 2013 and aims to prepare students for international crisis management in a practical way.

 

Learning under real conditions - the scenario

Around 40 students from OTH Regensburg, the University of Regensburg, the University of Glasgow (Scotland) and the Hellenic Mediterranean University (Greece) took on real roles for almost a week - for example as employees of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) - and worked in authentic environments such as a specially set up tent as a simulated UN OCHA field office in Sudan.

In addition to providing insights into the organisational structures and planning processes of international organisations, the exercise is designed to impart practical skills, including leadership behaviour, decision-making and situational awareness.

 

Support from interdisciplinary expertise

The 23-strong student organisation team received specialist support from experts from renowned organisations and institutions, including UN OCHA, UNICEF, Welthungerhilfe, the German Federal University of Public Administration and the German Armed Forces. The organisation SPHERE was also involved for the first time, and its internationally recognised handbook on humanitarian standards formed an integral part of the exercise. Internal OTH expertise was also incorporated - for example through a specialist lecture on gender-specific aspects in humanitarian crisis situations by Prof. Dr Solveig Groß from the Midwifery degree programme.

 

Reflection and evaluation for sustainable learning

As in previous years, the exercise was supported by a team from the Master's degree programme in Educational Science at the University of Regensburg. Daily reflection sessions helped the participants to analyse team processes, emotional stress and their own behaviour during the exercise. In addition, the team is also researching the GLOBE Exercise itself with the aim of continuously improving its didactic concept.

 

A forum for innovation and promoting young talent

The GLOBE Exercise has stood for innovative and practical teaching at OTH Regensburg since 2013. As a multi-award-winning teaching project, the Wired GLOBE 2025 has once again shown how simulation-based training contributes to the education of future humanitarian specialists - internationally, interdisciplinary and impact-orientated.

Participants in the simulated UN OCHA field office. Photo: OTH Regensburg/Aliya Kirst
Participants in the simulated UN OCHA headquarters. Photo: OTH Regensburg/Aliya Kirst
Radio communication between the teams. Photo: OTH Regensburg/Aliya Kirst
Expert contribution by Patrick Link from the Federal University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration - Department of Defence Administration. Photo: OTH Regensburg/Aliya Kirst